Divan-bed



Aplll 25, 1961 M. E. ROCHE ET AL 2,980,923

DIVAN-BED Filed May 14, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F I \28' 25 I Fig. 4 INVENLORS MELVIN E. ROCHE HILLARD J. SANDS apwww ATTORNEYS April 25, 1961 Filed May 14, 1956 Fig. '7

M. E. ROCHE ET AL DIVAN-BED 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS MELVIN E. RocH BY HILLARD J. SANDS ATTORNEYS hired rates DIVAN-BED Filed May 14, 1956, Ser. No. 584,870

6 Claims. (Cl. -59} The present invention relates to combination or convertible articles of furniture, such as divan-beds, or the like, and particularly is concerned with the provision of a furniture article wherein a swinging back or bolster supportis provided to provide for conversion of the article into a bed, or into a divan, as desired.

HeretOfore there have been quite a few diiferent types of'combination furniture articles of the general type referred to provided. One of such prior structures is shown in Patent No. 2,645,788 which illustrates one type of a sofa-bed provided with a shiftable back support, while another Patent No; 2,656,548 illustrates another type of a pivotal'or removable type of a cushion support member for'div'an-beds. j j

In endeavoring to convert divans or sofas or the like into beds, or "vice versa, it" should be. noted that divans should have less depth than a bed requires in width.

Hence, it is necessary to provide some type of cushions,

bolsters, supports'or the like that are positioned 9n the rear or back portion of thedivan-bed when it is in use .as a divan, and to remove such cushions, bolsters and/ or the supports when the divan-bed is to be used for sleeping purposes. Usually both bolsters and special supports therefor are provided. The bolster support preferably is of a type which will pivot or swing from adjacent a rear portion "of the divan-bed'forwardly thereof to lessen the effective depth thereof when operatively positioned to adapt the bed for. use as a seat or divan Structures of the prior art, and similar to that of the presentinvention, have' been relatively. expensive to produce, or have not provide d the desired type of support action, or 'theyhave been somewhat flimsy and weak in structure, or they have been'subject to other disadvantages, such as bein'g difficult to movejfrom, the divan position overto bed forming position.

v Accordingly, it is thegeneral object of the present invention to provide-a novel and improved type of .a divan-bed article of furniturewhich -isrcharacterized by" the provision'of a novel supporttray andcushion or bolster support memberin the divan-bed.

.Another object of the invention is to provide an article of furniture of'theclass.described'wherein certainbracket support means in the divanfb ed can be-folded fiat sub stan-tially into1a planeofthelower frame means of'the v article of furniture for purposes.

A further object of the invention isto, use a support shelf -in a divan-bed for retaining portions of the. stmcture in an operative position. for bolster oi cushion support 7 action. 7 1 f Another object of the invention isto provide a relatively sturdy, inexpensive type of a divan-bed, a shelf and a swing back bracket of which can be readily movedx frompafcushion or-fbolste'r support-position to aretracted or inoperative pdsitionl' l t t.

. A further object of thei ventio'n is toprov L novel combination'type of divan andbedwhich ha fa special; f swing back b'raicket or bolster support 'inembefiand-which Patented Apr. 25, 1961 positions a support shelf thereon in either extended operative position or in a folded or collapsed position.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

In the following specification, corresponding articles are referred to by the same number in the drawing and in the specification to facilitate understanding the invention.

Reference now should be had to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the swing-back divan-bed of the invention with only the frame means of the structure being shown; 7

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation, partially broken away and shown in section, of the back support bracket means of the divan-bed and showing the shelf in an elevated or operating position, and the swing-back bracket in the extended or operative position;

Fig. 3 is an elevation, similar to Fig. 2, only with the tion of the invention with mattress, bolsters and the like carried thereon; v s

Fig. 6 is a view of the divan-bed converted for sleeping purposes into a full size single bed; and

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a rear portion of the divan-bed' frame and showing'the pivotal connection of the bracket support means thereto, the partially collapsed or folded position of the bracket support member being indicated on dotted lines.

The present invention relates to a divan-bed or the like comprising a frame,-"a .plurality ofinverted substantially L-shaped support rods pivotally carried on said frame at the rear portion thereof for pivotal movement of the foot portions thereof from positions extending forwardly of said frameat leastto positions extending parallel to a rearframe'edge, which support rods terminate in upwardly directed end sections, a bolster support unit carried by said support'rod end sections and extending therebetween for unitary movement of said support rods, rear supports carried :by the foot portions of said support rods, a tray, and tubular arms pivotally carried by said tray, which is removably supported on said bolster sup port unit and by said tubular-arms engaging'said rear supports. 1

.or' rail '14 associated therewith; and usually fixedly se- The divan-bed of the invention is indicated as a whole by the numeral 10. This divan-bed includes a suitable metallic frame comprising a front rail 11 and a rear'rail 12. 'Connecting cross rail sections 1'3 are suitably secured to both of the front rail and rear rails adjacent the .ends thereof and extend transverselyof the frafneQ-being secured together in overlapped or telescoped relation by. I anyudesired type of a clamp'member 16. Preferably each of the cross railsections 13 has areenforcing angle cured thereto. Preferably all of..these frame means of the invention are made from conventional nietal angle iron which "is the structure usually used in frames for beds or the like. Casters, glides or other enuivalentsupport members ls are carried by the cross rails 1'3 and re enforcing rails 14 by'any conventional securin'gineansuf ,Vertically.extending-reenforcing leg'jsfilZei are provided on the rearhr'ailjil, while a load support legor surface 12b alsoiprovided thereon, Likewiseload support legs 'otally secured, thereto. 7 v fingers 22 are deburred, o'r. are balledor peened over to 3 or surfaces 13a are provided on the cross rails 13, while dependent reenforcing legs 13b are likewise provided thereon. Similarly the reenforcing rails 14 have upper or top load supporting surfaces 14a and dependent or reinforcing legs 1412 provided thereon. The dependent legs 15b and 14b are in contact with each other at the front portion of the frame means of the invention and are socured permanently together for reinforcing purposes'by any conventional members.

Adjacent the rear portion of the frame, the reenforcing rails 14 are spaced a short distance from the rail sections 13 'tliereadjacent for purposes to be described hereinafter in more detail.

The back portion of the divan-bed 10 of the invention includes a positioning bracket or member 17 that is generally of L-shape. The lower portion of this bracket 17 is pivotally received intermediate the cross rail sections 13 adjacent the rear of the frame and the reenforcing rails 14 engaged therewith. A vertically upwardly directed leg 18 is provided on each of the brackets 17. Suitable spacer means or blocks 19 of any desired size are positioned, .as by rivets 1911, or in any other desired manner, intermediate these adjacent dependent legs 13b and 14b of the'rail meansof the frame to secure them together tightly in parallel spaced relation, but yet to permit pivotal action of the positioning member or bracket 17, as

described hereinafter. The vertical legs 18 of the-positioning brackets 17 have tubular sockets 20 secured thereto, as by welding, and extending vertically upwardly therefrom. V q i Back forming means for the divan-bed 10 are asso- '4 2812 provided thereon; such flanges 28a and inturned edges 28b extend inwardly of the shelf 28 a short distance for reenforcement purposes. Spacer sleeves 39a, Fig. 4 are provided on the bolts 30, to space the inner ends of the support tubes 29 from the flange and edge means of the tray. Fig. 2 of the drawings best shows how the shelf 28 can be horizontally positioned for operational use. Thefront portion of the shelf 28 is swung up and disengaged from contact with the support tubes 26 and 27. At the same time, usually the swing-back bracket support rods 21 are swung through an arc of approximately 90 and the carrier tubes 26'and 27, connected together through the bolster support tube 25, pivot on the upwardly extending fingers 23 of the support rods 21 and move them rearwardly as a unit to permit the tray 29 to fall or swing down to the'vertical position illustrated in Fig. 3 and lie parallel to a wall against which the divanbed is positioned.

Fig. 5 of the drawings clearlyillustrates how cushions,

or bolsters 31 and 32 can be placed upon a mattress 33 carried by the divan-bed when adapted for use as a divan. At such time, the swing-back brackets or support rods 21a are in their'forwardmost, operative positions and i efiectively reenforce or support the cushions 31 and 32 ciated with and carried by the tubular sockets 2 0 provided I at each end of the divan-bed assembly. Thus a swing- .back support rod or. member, or arm 21, usually made from metal rod, is removably received within the tubular against any rearward movement and reduce the width of the divan-bed available for seating purposes. Fig. 6 clearly illustratesfhow these cushions 31 and ,32 can'be removed and the shelf 28 swung down into a vertical position when the swing-back support rods 21 are swung to their inoperative positions so that the full width of the divan-bed is available for sleeping purposes.

Fig. 2 of the drawings shows that a rubber pad or a block 34 can be secured to the lower endsof the tubular socket ZtYand is pivotally supported therein, for example,

as by peening over the lower edge: ofthe tubular socket 20, as indicated at 20a in Fig. 2, so that the rod 21 cannot "extendtherethrough and is rotatable in such tubular socket 20. The positioning rods 21 are of inverted L- shape and have separate fingers 22 extending normally therefrom and welded thereto in the foot portionsv Zla thereof. The support rod 21 terminates in an upwardly extending finger or end portion 23 that in Fig.2 is shown as extending or being positioned forwardly with relation to the tubular positioningsocket 20. That is the ati-ve' position ,for such rod or arm 21. A bolster or cushion support tube or rod 25 is provided at the rear portion of the divan-bed, and it is forrned into a unit with two vertically extending carrier tubes 26 and27 adjacent the ends of the bolster support tube 25. These carrier tubes 26 and 27 engage the fingers 23 of the swing-back support rods 21 to make a unit therewith;

1 Thecarrier tubes '26 and ,27 also are provided for aiding V ably is welded to the positioning tubes 26 and, 27, and

all tube ends may have any conventional end caps thereon. In' order to position the rear part of the support shelf sockets 18 to prevent such end portions of the socket from bumping against the wall or' otherwise marring any other adjacentfurniture. H

As another feature of the invention, in order to facilitate 7 shipping the divan-bed frame in compact form, the bolster support means, and specifically the brackets 18 are pivotally positioned to permit the vertically extending tubularsockets 20 to be swung down into a generally horizontal position substantially in the plane defined by the 1 horizontal support surfaces 14a and 13a of the reenforcing rails 14 and cross rails 13. Usually in shipping the operor tray 28, it has a pair of short support tubes 29 piv- V The upper ends'of thesupport provide semi-spherical support surfaces for the tubular members 29 which are engaged therewith t'o'coznpletethe support for thetray 28. Preferably the upper endsfiof these support tubes 29 are flattened-as indicated at 29a 28 is'shown as being. made from am etal sheen which has; I

downwardlyieirtending flanges 28a; with-inturned ,edges divan bed, a pair of the cross rail sections 13 are pivotally secured to .the front rail111 and'are swunginto alignment therewith for? shipping purposes Suchv cross rail sections their would be swung out toextend normally from the front rail and be fixedly secured (bolted)"ir1 the positions shown. I V

In shipping the divan-bed 10 ,.as a feature of the invention, a unit is made of the bracket 17, the tubular socket 2t), cross'rail section 13a, and reenforcing rail 14 for each end of the 'divan-bed. .Fig. '7 shows that a slot -46 is provided in the horizontal leg of each bracket, and bolts, rivets or other means-46rt secure the assemblies together. Because'ofthe slots 46, the brackets 11 and sockets 2t) canbe pulled backward-1y andbe. swung in over the cross rail and reenforcing rail to lay 'superimposed thereover to p'rov'ide a compact shipping-assembly. .Securing a bolt 47 or the-like to the assembly when thefbr-acket 11 is swung" uprs operative position lines the assembly for .use. The clamps 16.next'can be positioned to secure the "associated 'crossrail; seotions'together The rear rail12 can be bolted o'rotherwise secured tothe rear cross rail sections 13a and reenforcihg rails 14 after thelbraokets' -17 are operatively positioned.

fig. 4 of the drawingsillustrates' that the inwardlyex- -.1tending edge flangesor-lips 2817 providedlo'n the tray 28 are removed at the front-corners of; this support shelf or tray sothat the support tubes ZG-andZTcan be received in the corners of the fray. This locks the tubes 26 and p 27 and payee in place .and aid sjin operativelypositipning the triayiand. bolster isupportmeans to prevent any un- 1.' ;t hatsesetstth r ss t n -b k rod supports 21 from their operative or assembled position.

The divan-bed of the invention can be readily converted from use as a divan over for use as a bed and when in use as a divan, the tray 28 can support any desired articles thereon, while the bolsters or cushions 31 extend surficiently laterally of the bed to give it the proper depth for seating action. Y

The divan frame can be shipped in compact form and i be readily assembled by unskilled labor. The divan provides storage space for articles normally desired near a divan and it effectively positions the support tray when not in use. Thus it is thought that the objects of the invention have been achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a divan-bed or the like, frame means, a tubular socket secured to said frame means and extending vertically adjacent each end of said frame means at a back edge thereof, bolster support meanspivotally received in said sockets, said bolster support means providing spaced pairs of vertically upwardly extending support fingers adjacent each end of the divan-bed, a bolster support unit including a pair of upward-1y directed support members,

and being carried by a finger of each of said pairs of fingers to make a unit of said bolster support means and,

extending the length of said frame means, and a horizontal support tray carried by the said support fingers and bolster support unit.

2. A divan-bed as in claim 1, in which said horizontal support tray has depending lips thereon engaging the upwardly directed support members of said bolster support unit to hold said bolster support means securely in a forward position. v

3. In a divan-bed or the like, a frame, a plurality of inverted substantially L-s-haped support rods pivotally carried on said frame at the rear portion thereof for pivotal movement of the foot portions thereof from positions extending forwardly of said frame at least to positions extending parallel to a rear frame edge, said supportrods terminating in upwardly directedend sections, a bolster support unit carried by said support rod end sections and extending therebetween for unitary movement of said support rods, rear support fingers carried by the foot portions of said support rods and extending upwardly therefrom,

, a tray, and tubular arms pivotally carried by said tray,

said tray being operatively supported on said bolster support unit and by said tubular arms telescopically engaging said rear support fingers.

4. In a divan-bed or the like,.frame'means, bolster support units extending up fromrear portions of said frame means and including pivotal support means, pairs of support fingers operatively carried by said pivotal support means at each-end of the divan-bed, and a support .,member carried by saidsupport fingers, said ,support member having inwardly extending flange means thereon recessed for engaging oneiof said support fingers engaging each end of said support member to lock said pivot-a1 support means in operative position.

5. In a swing back divan-bed combination, frame means for said divan-bed comprising a front and a rear rail and cross rails forming a rectangular unit, said rear rail and front rail combining to define a plane, a pair of back rest bracket means carried by spaced rear portions of said frame means and extending vertically thereof, said back rest bracket means having sections movable to and from operative position with relation to said framing means, connecting means carried by and extending between themovable sections of said back rest bracket means to provide a bolster support for the divan-bed combination, said cross rails each include pairs of parallel members and a spacer secured between portions of said parallel members, said bracket means each have an arm extending forwardly therefrom and received between said pairs of parallel members for pivotal movement therebetween, and means securing spaced portions of each of said arms to said cross rails to position said bracket means operatively.

6. In a swing back divan-bed combination, frame means for said divan-bed comprising a front and a rear rail and cross rails forming a rectangular unit, said rear rail and front rail combining to define a plane, a pair of back rest bracket means carried by spaced rear portions of said frame means and extending vertically thereof, said back rest bracket means having sections movable to and from operative position with relation to said framing means, connecting means carried by and extending between the movable sections of said back rest bracket means to provide a bolster support for the divan-bed combination, said bracket means including an arm extending therefrom for connection to said frame means, said arm having a slot therein to make an elongated pivot point to permit said back rest bracket means to slide outwardly with respect to said frame means and pivot and fold downwardly with respect thereto into substantial superimposed relation to part of said frame means in the folded position, said cross rails each including pairs of parallel members and a spacer secured between said parallel members, said bracket means arm being received between said pairs'of parallel members for limited pivotal movement therebetween, and means securing spaced portions of each of said arms to said cross rails to position said bracket means operatively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,740,678 Campbell Apr. 3, 1956 Gunn Mar. 28, 1893 

